Citrus rootstock named &#39;UFR-4&#39;

ABSTRACT

‘UFR-4’ is a new and distinct allotetraploid  citrus  rootstock for tree size control and improved disease resistance. ‘UFR-4’ has shown a positive reaction to the Huanglongbing disease (HLB, or  citrus  greening disease) in multiple experimental field trials. Scion trees grafted on this rootstock show a reduced frequency of infection and reduced disease symptoms once infected when compared to commercial diploid rootstocks. ‘UFR-4’ rootstock also showed tolerance to the Diaprepes/Phytophthora complex in greenhouse tests.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Application No. 61/923,576, filed Jan. 3, 2014, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Latin name of the Genus and Species of the Plant Claimed

Citrus reticulata

Variety Denomination

‘UFR-4’

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of citrus rootstock named ‘UFR-4’. The Plant Improvement Team in Lake Alfred, Fla. has pioneered the development and testing of allotetraploid citrus rootstocks. ‘UFR-4’ is an allotetraploid zygotic hybrid derived from a conventional cross of two somatic hybrids previously produced by protoplast fusion. The somatic hybrid seed parent is ‘Nova’ mandarin hybrid+Hirado Buntan pummelo (zygotic seedling), and the somatic hybrid pollen parent is Cleopatra mandarin+Argentine trifoliate orange.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

‘UFR-4’ was selected on the basis of its positive reaction to the Huanglongbing disease (HLB, or citrus greening disease) in multiple experimental field trials. Scion trees grafted on this rootstock show a reduced frequency of infection, and reduced disease symptoms once infected as compared to commercial diploid rootstocks. Although trees grafted to ‘UFR-4’ grow off quickly, trees remain medium in size, comparable to trees grafted to ‘Swingle’ citrumelo rootstock. Trees are smaller on flatwoods soils. ‘UFR-4’ is seedy and polyembryonic, making it amenable to standard nursery propagation practices for uniform liner production. This selection has shown tolerance to the Diaprepes/Phytophthora complex in greenhouse tests. Long-term performance of scion trees grafted on ‘UFR-4’ is unknown. Yield and fruit quality data is limited, but 3 years of data from young trees (the St. Helena project, see Table 1) indicates good productivity and fruit quality. Tolerance to citrus blight is also unknown. Fruit quality for the Valquarius® ‘SF14W-62’ (U.S. Pat. No. 21,535) scion was significantly less than that of ‘Vernia’.

TABLE 1 Rootstock Data from 5-year old trees in the St. Helena trial - Dundee, FL Yield Boxes/Tree Cumulative Lbs Solids/Box 2011 2012 2013 Yield Scion Rootstock 2012 2013 (35 mo.) (47 mo.) (59 mo.) (Boxes) VALQUARIUS Som. Hyb. ‘UFR-6’ 5.64 5.43 0.5 0.78 1.94 3.22 VERNIA Som. Hyb. ‘UFR-6’ 5.67 6.01 0.4 0.63 1.41 2.44 VALQUARIUS Tetrazyg ‘UFR-1’ 5.5 4.87 NS 0.72 2.23 2.95 VERNIA Tetrazyg ‘UFR-1’ 5.61 6.28 0.31 0.67 1.33 2.31 VERNIA Tetrazyg ‘UFR-2’ 5.47 5.93 0.35 0.25 1.38 1.98 VALQUARIUS Tetrazyg ‘UFR-2’ 4.57 5.37 NS 0.75 1.73 2.48 VALQUARIUS Tetrazyg ‘UFR-3’ 4.84 5.05 NS 0.81 1.97 2.78 VERNIA Tetrazyg ‘UFR-3’ 5.46 5.82 0.37 0.38 1.82 2.57 VERNIA Tetrazyg ‘UFR-4’ 5.79 6.07 0.54 0.71 1.73 2.98 VALQUARIUS Tetrazyg ‘UFR-4’ 4.65 5.07 NS 0.65 1.59 2.64 VALQUARIUS Tetrazyg ‘UFR-5’ 5.76 5.72 0.33 0.56 1.80 2.69 VERNIA Tetrazyg ‘UFR-5’ 5.89 5.34 0.42 0.25 1.93 2.60 VALQUARIUS Diploid FG 1731 5.83 6.81 NS 0.68 2.20 2.88 VALQUARIUS Diploid FG 1733 5.12 5.63 NS 0.67 2.77 3.44 VERNIA Diploid SWINGLE* 5.11 5.79 0.33 0.85 1.08 2.26 VALQUARIUS Diploid SWINGLE* NS 5.61 NS NS 1.50 1.50 VERNIA Diploid CLEO* 4.79 5.51 NS 0.50 0.83 1.33 VALQUARIUS Diploid CLEO* NS 5.21 NS NS 1.7 1.7 VERNIA Diploid R. LEMON* 3.67 na NS 0.78 na 0.78 VALQUARIUS Diploid VOLK* NS 4.12 NS NS 2.58 2.58 VERNIA Diploid VOLK* 3.6 4.73 0.4 1.13 0.83 2.36 VALQUARIUS Diploid KUHARSKE* NS 5.75 NS NS 2.2 2.2 VERNIA Diploid KUHARSKE* 4.34 5.83 0.15 0.75 1.08 1.98 NS—not significant fruit; na—data not available; *—control commercial rootstock One box contains 90 lbs. fruit

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

‘UFR-4’ is illustrated by the accompanying photographs, which show the tree's form, foliage, and fruit. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic procedures. The photographs are of a tree approximately 6-years old, growing on its own roots in Lake Alfred, Fla. All figures were taken in the fall of 2013.

FIG. 1.—Shows a close-up of the nearly mature fruits with the rind and cross-sectional view of the fruit when cut in the center.

FIG. 2.—Shows the overall mature plant growth habit in the fall of 2013.

FIG. 3.—Shows nearly mature fruits hanging on the tree.

FIG. 4.—Shows a close-up of leaves and nearly mature fruits.

FIG. 5.—Shows a close-up of nearly mature fruits.

FIG. 6.—Shows a close-up of seeds from nearly mature fruit.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description sets forth the distinctive characteristics of ‘UFR-4’. The colors (except those in common terms) are described from R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The Royal Horticultural Society in London (second edition), in association with the Flower Council of Holland.

PHENOTYPIC DESCRIPTION OF CITRUS RETICULATA ‘UFR-4’

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—[Citrus reticulata hybrid (Clementine             mandarin×Orlando tangelo) Citrus reticulata×Citrus             paradisi)+Citrus grandis]×[Citrus reticulata+Poncirus             trifoliata (trifoliate orange)].         -   Common name.—Complex allotetraploid ‘tetrazyg’ rootstock             hybrid. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female parent.—‘Nova mandarin+Hirado Buntan pummelo (zygotic             seedling); unpatented somatic hybrid.         -   Male parent.—Cleopatra mandarin+Argentine trifoliate orange;             unpatented somatic hybrid. -   Tree:     -   -   Ploidy.—Tetraploid.         -   Size.—Medium.         -   Height.—3.07 meters.         -   Tree spread.—2.2 to 2.7 meters.         -   Vigor.—Vigorous.         -   Density.—Canopies are quite dense.         -   Form.—The tree has a rounded shaped with mostly lateral             branches growing. toward low to medium angles. Branches with             fruit exhibit drooping.         -   Growth habit.—Mostly lateral growth with upright growth on             the top. -   Trunk:     -   -   Trunk diameter.—11 cm in diameter at 30 cm above the ground             on a 6-year-old tree.         -   Trunk texture.—Smooth.         -   Trunk bark color.—RHS 198A (greyed-green); irregularly             striated with RHS N189A (greyed-green). -   Branches:     -   -   Crotch angle.—First crotch forms a 45- to 48-degree angle,             middle crotch forms a 40-degree angle.         -   Branch length.—Branch reaches 2.3 meters from the first             crotch to the tip of the branch.         -   Branch texture.—Relatively rough with small thorns or             spines.         -   Branch color (shoots from previous flush, hardened, and 4 to             5 mm in diameter).—RHS 137A (green). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size (lamina average).—Length: 87 mm Width: 48 mm L/W ratio:             1.81.         -   Thickness.—Thicker than average commercial diploid rootstock             hybrids.         -   Type.—Mostly simple leaves, although trifoliate and             bifoliate leaves also appear on the same tree.         -   Shape.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Retuse.         -   Base.—Acute to sub-obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire and slightly undulate.         -   Surface.—Upper surface: Glabrous Lower surface: Medium veins             that are pinnately netted.         -   Color.—Upper surface (adaxial): RHS 137A (green) Lower             surface (abaxial): RHS 137C (green).         -   Petiole.—Shape: Brevipetiolate (shorter than leaf lamina);             junction between petiole and lamina is articulate. Width             (petiole wing): Narrow Shape (petiole wing): Obovate Length:             16.4 to 16.5 mm Width: 5.5 to 5.6 mm Color: RHS N137A             (green). -   Flowers and flower buds:     -   -   Type.—Hermaphrodite.         -   Bearing.—Flowers grow from leaf axillaries and leaf             terminals singly and in small clusters; most single flowers             grow from leaf axillaries.         -   Flower bud size.—Shape: Initial visible flower bud has a             round ball shape; mature flower bud has an elongated olive             shape.         -   Flower petals.—Shape: Flat, spatula-shaped Apex shape:             Smooth, acute-shaped Base shape: Even obtuse Margin: Smooth.         -   Flower sepal.—Shape: Delta-shaped with an acute angle at the             apex. Apex shape: Triangle-shaped Margin: Smooth.         -   Fragrance.—Fragrant/Moderately fragrant.         -   Reproductive organs.—Fertility: Appears self-fertile Pollen             amount: Abundant/Moderately amount Pollen color (general):             Bright-yellow Ovary shape: Oval-shaped. -   Fruit:     -   -   Size.—Uniform.         -   Height.—62 to 65 mm on average.         -   Width.—74 to 76 mm on average.         -   Average weight (per individual fruit).—174 grams.         -   Shape.—Round.         -   Shape (cross-section).—Round.         -   Apex.—Truncated with slight dent.         -   Apex cavity diameter.—N/A.         -   Base cavity diameter.—6.6 to 6.9 mm.         -   Base.—No neck.         -   Harvesting.—Fruit can be harvested in September in Florida,             and should be harvested no later than October, as trees have             a tendency to drop fruit quickly into November.         -   Fruit stem (short stem connecting the fruit).—Length: 7.8 mm             Diameter: 5.5 mm Color: RHS 138B (green) with RHS 195B             (greyed-green) strip. -   Rind:     -   -   Adherence.—Adherence between albedo (mesocarp) and flesh             (endocarp) is medium. The adherence is evenly distributed             from based to apex.         -   Thickness.—3.8 to 4.9 mm on average.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Flavedo (epicarp): Range between RHS 150B             (yellow-green) to RHS 154C (yellow-green) Albedo (mesocarp):             RHS 10C (yellow).         -   Stylar end.—Closed.         -   Rind oil cell density.—176 oil cells/square cm. -   Flesh:     -   -   Number of segments.—Between 11 and 12 segments per fruit on             average         -   Segment walls.—Medium-firm with sufficient strength to             maintain integrity as separated.         -   Juice.—Abundant.         -   Color.—Uniformly RHS 153D (yellow-green).         -   Texture.—Medium soft.         -   Vesicles.—Length: Arranged from 14.3 to 15.2 mm on average             Diameter (thickness): 4.3 to 5.7 mm on average.         -   Eating quality.—N/A.         -   Juice index.—Soluble solids (average): 9.0 Brix. -   Seeds:     -   -   Type.—Polyembryonic.         -   Number.—Ranges from 18 to 23. Occasionally some fruit             contains less than 18 seeds.         -   Shape.—Seed shapes are not uniform. Normal seeds are mostly             ventricose/swollen shaped and clavate club shaped.         -   Size.—Length: 11.5 to 13.5 mm Width: 7.1 to 8.2 mm.         -   Seed coat color.—Outer Surface: RHS 155B (white) and             wrinkled Inner surface: RHS 165C (greyed-orange) Cotyledon             color: RHS 155C (white). 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct citrus rootstock cultivar as illustrated and described herein. 